The special 1st trip for our girls-April 16- pre travel day

[chazb]

Pre Travel Day

So we are back from the most amazing holiday. We have been back just over a week now and almost feels like we haven't been yet. We all enjoyed it so much and got a lot done. So here goes

Today started off as a normal Monday. Phoebe was off to nursery for the morning, so Adam dropped her off with darcey, while I finished packing the last few bits. I had actually got all the packing done over the weekend so just needed to add some toiletries and pyjamas. I also put all the electricals on to charge so wouldn't have to worry about doing them all at the hotel.
We all went to pick phoebe up at 12.00 and she said goodbye to all her little friends. She was very excited. Came back and had some lunch which was sandwiches and fruit, just some bits we had to use up in the fridge.

After lunch I got the girls changed into some old lightweight clothes, which I had planned to throw away at the hotel while adam was packing the car up. We had two suitcases, 3 hand luggage and a pushchair. We just managed to fit it all in. I had packed an extra suitcase and an extra hand luggage in our luggage so was worried about fitting in the car on the way home.

Excited to go!

Strapped in and ready to go


We left the house at 14.15. We popped to tesco to get some water and some snacks and was on our way by 14.40. We made good time on the M25. When we were 10 minutes away from Gatwick, I rang the parking service and they told me where to go to drop the car off at the North Terminal. Found this easily and were soon walking into the terminal to find the hotel. The hotel was Hilton by Hampton and was very nice and had a little tunnel via the north terminal. We were checkin in and in our room by 15.45. We had a nice room with two double beds but only had a view of the premier inn. We also only had a shower, which was a slight dampener, as had been looking forward to a nice relaxing bath before bed.

When we got in the room we gave the girls their suitcases which I had packed with treats, pencils, sticker books, headphones for the journey. They loved them and were very happy

Trying on her new sunglasses

I had try to book a table for dinner at the Thyme restaurant over at the premier inn, but had not got a reply so we decided to walk over and see if we could get a table. We arrived over there at about 16.45 and was told the restaurant didn't open till 17.30, so we reserved a table and grabbed a drink. I felt quite anxious for the next 45 mins,the bar area was small and there were no other children in the area. The girls were not being naughty but quite loud and excitable and I felt people were staring at us. Adam said that the girls were not doing anything wrong so not to worry and things got a bit fraught between us two then. Lol.

Luckily all was forgotten by the time we sat down for dinner and we had a really nice meal.
We had to drink Carling, Diet Coke and 2 fruit shoots £8.00. To eat

Adam- Garlic flatbread (£4.40)and 8oz rump (£13.20)
Charlie- Tempura prawns (£5.99) and Hunters chicken (£11.25)
Phoebe- cheesy nachos (£2.00) and sausages, baked beans and dough sticks (£4.00)
Darcey- Baked flatbread (£2.00) grilled chicken breast with chips and beans (£4.00)

Steak

Hunters chicken

Sausage

Chicken breast


We all had a really nice meal, the portions were a good size and we all left happy.

We then walked back to our hotel stopping to get the girls a treat from the shop. They chose a packet of smarties each and realised this was probable not the best idea when they were still awake at half nine.lol

Back to the room, washed and pyjamas on. Smarties eaten and teeth cleaned and all in to bed at around 8ish. Adam fell fast asleep, while the girls giggled and whispered till half 9 when they both fell asleep. Adam then woke and went downstairs to get a coffee. All of us asleep by 22.30. I'm really sorry I'm struggling to work out how to do an index so I may have to do each day separate.

[smithlane]

Great pre travel day! Your girls are adorable,I bet you were all so excited 😃

[k l is excited]

A nice start to your holiday. The girls look so excited. All the time you spend planning your dream holiday and then it's over before you know it. I'm looking forward to reading all about you trip.

Are you planning on returning in the future. We have just booked to return in 2018 for our 6th visit. I know it's a long way off but I'm happy to keep checking out the dibb for any new ideas etc.

[wozza]

Looking forward to reading the rest

[LOU,]

A great start looking forward to travel day x

[CazP]

Love the day before's excitement, always a great feeling - even though I can never sleep!

[collybird]

I didn't know Thyme sat guests that weren't staying in the hotel, that's great to know as we really love the restaurant but might stay in the Hampton next time as we'd love a shower rather than a bath!

I've never understood why Premier Inn restaurants start serving dinner so late, some people, especially those with kids, like to eat early. The Premier Inn we stay in in Edinburgh doesn't start serving until six o'clock!

Looking forward to reading about your girls' first visit.

[Kat11]

Oooohhhh, I've been waiting for your trip report I only found your pre-trippy last week, so I can get your whole story in one go!

Kat

[kansaskitty]

Yay I am looking forward to your report and to seeing the girls reactions to WDW!
I would have been anxious in the bar too, men just don't understand! Glad you had a great meal in the end.

[chazb]

Originally Posted by smithlane

Great pre travel day! Your girls are adorable,I bet you were all so excited 😃

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Ahh thank you, yep we were very excited. Thanks for reading x